Majority Oppose MN Marriage Ban

Well, this is a refreshing bit of news, isn't it?

A majority of Minnesotans oppose amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, according to a new Star Tribune Minnesota Poll. Fifty-five percent of respondents said they oppose adding such an amendment while 39 percent favor a constitutional ban -- views that appear to be a sharp reversal of poll results seven years ago. Opposition to the ban generally cuts across all ages, though support rises gradually with age. Sixty percent of Minnesotans aged 18 to 34 oppose the idea. A slim majority, 51 percent, of Minnesotans older than 65 oppose the constitutional ban. "We should have our own choices and abilities to chose what we want and not have someone categorize or label people because of their sexual orientation," said Adam Leistiko, a 22-year-old Democrat from Edina who opposes the marriage amendment. "I have a very open mind."

The ban passed in the state Senate earlier this week and is expected to pass in the House. The governor has no veto power over constitutional amendments, so voters will likely see the measure on the 2012 ballot.